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Inspiration to keep going

I finished working for a commercial guy this past year and this year I am on my own.

I noticed there are some people (i call them beesource trolls) that always talk like there is no money in beekeeping...ever.

Is there anyway some of the commercial guys here could post some of their numbers...like number of hives and income for the year.

I really want some hope that I can do what I love and actually provide for my family. This would help me see the bigger picture for sure. I haven't quit my day job yet...but that is my eventual goal. I love beekeeping and would love to do this for a living. Thanks guys for your time!

Re: Inspiration to keep going

I doubt you are going to get many if any to post what they make a year with number of colonies they have. That's a pretty personal question into someones business.

This I will tell you.

I have been running ~400 colonies and it makes us enough money, my wife works the business full time and actually got a pay raise when she quit her 9-5 job. I still haven't quit my daytime job.

Is there money to be made? YES.
Is it easy money to be made? NO.
Is there easier money to be made? YES
Like anything else in agriculture. Money can be had but you need to work hard for it and you need to have a good business mind to run it the best you can.

What else can be said about it. As far as actual monies I made for the year, thats going to stay between my wife, IRS and me.

Re: Inspiration to keep going

Thanks BMAC!

I really appreciate your response. I totally don't want to be invasive...I know the question is but I just am tired of people saying beekeeping is a money pit and you'll never recoup your investments. I have bought some hives and nucs this year. I am not expecting anything this year but to learn.

Re: Inspiration to keep going

I had a beekeeper in Ga tell me the same thing. He has actually convinced others in the area the same thing. He tried his hand at the commercial level and failed at it.

Personally I think its all in the persons attitude about life and motivation to truly make your own money.

It is aweful expensive to buy all the equipment and machines. If you are going to do migratory beekeeping (ie pollination) start on pallets. Make them standard beekeeping pallets and rent a skid steer to move them. I rented a skidsteer and trailer for the first 3 years I was on migratory equipment and still occassionally rent one so I dont have to drag mine down the road.

Re: Inspiration to keep going

Yes there is money in bees some years and others you spend more than you make. Equipment and fuel will be your biggest expenses. If you build as you go, I think you will do better. Some guys make a very good living at it and others go bottom up. Your attitude and making smart business decisions are key. I agree with BMAC . But remember every year will not be a bumper crop. Plan for the slow years as well as the good years

Re: Inspiration to keep going

People usually don't post income and their formula on how to make specific numbers. They may post a working plan.
By the number of folks that have been commercial for years I expect there is enough money in bees. I do get the impression that one needs to be savvy and good with business to make a go of it. The successful commercial beeks would likely be successful with any business they chose to develop and run

Last edited by JohnK and Sheri; 04-07-2014 at 01:00 PM.
Reason: Unnecessary quote

Re: Inspiration to keep going

We run around 7000 and gross over seven figures. Profit isn't all that impressive because of all the luxuries we can now buy. But I know commercial guys that are now failing cuz of dead hives. Have a plan for a major die off.

Re: Inspiration to keep going

Keeping bees alive isn't an impossible goal, we've been doing it for over 30 years, some years better than others. But, yes, it is just good business planning to allow for bad years, they do happen.
We gross somewhere between $375-450 per colony, including honey production, almond pollination, spring package/nuc/colony sales. We are in an area with pretty good honey crop averages and good spring retail bee prices. We net more than $60 per colony; we net that from almonds alone, not even counting the surplus bees produced. But this is after building up over years. We didn't start with big expensive equipment; built up paying cash as we could afford; plowing just about everything back into the business. We didn't buy a forklift til we were in the neighborhood of 1200 colonies, John's bad back is testament to that. Definitely harder to do with a debt load, but I know several younger/newer beekeepers successfully doing just that. Bet they still end up with a bad back.
Sheri